Boston, November 5,
1850,
MY DEAR SIR—I left
New Hampshire yesterday, having be come free of disease, and well, except so
far as this protracted catarrh has reduced me. I am quite aware how
inconvenient my long absence is to you, and to the government, and some times
feel, that as this illness is of annual recurrence, I ought to regard it as
unfitting me for an office, the duties of which require constant attention; I
must now go to Marshfield for a few days. When there a fortnight ago, I was
hardly able to go out doors, and could do nothing about arranging my little
affairs.
On public subjects
things are here becoming quiet. The excitement caused by the Fugitive Slave Law
is fast subsiding, and it is thought that there is now no probability of any
resistance, if a fugitive should be arrested. Thousands of young men have
tendered their services to the marshal at a moment's warning. There is an
evident and a vast change of public opinion in this quarter since the
adjournment of Congress.
There is much talk
of a Union meeting, and a great desire to hold one. Very many persons have
spoken to me on the subject, since my arrival yesterday. My opinion is, that
such a meeting should be held, but that I should not attend it. My opinions are
all known, and they may perhaps be topics of comment, before the meeting.
Besides it is, I think, expedient to bring out new men. Mr. Gray, Mr. B. R.
Curtis, &c., &c., and the people are also anxious to hear Mr. Choate's
voice once more.
To avoid
misconstruction, I think the meeting will not be holden till after our
election, on Monday next.
I look upon the
result of our election, so far as respects governor, as very doubtful.
SOURCE: Fletcher
Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol.
2, p. 400-1
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